Always You

13

These stilettos are making my legs and feet go numb. Olly forced me to wear them for this event. It's her brother's civil wedding here at the hotel's function room. The rustic themed wedding set-up is simple yet elegant. I'm wearing a cropped, pink sparkling top and pink chiffon skirt. I just let my hair flow down to my shoulders with some curls on it. Minimal make-up lang ang inapply ko since hindi na man talaga ako mahilig doon. Mabuti na lang at pinayagan ako ni dad na umattend ng event, pinakita ko rin kasi ang invitation nila.

Halos napuno ng mga guests itong room. Present kasi halos ang both sides ng family, pati na rin ang mga kaibigan nila. Nakita ko rin si Zeke kanina, but he was busy spending his time kina kuya Paolo. Nagkaroon kasi ang barkada nila ng mini reunion.

We are now watching these two people saying their vows. Maganda ang girlfriend ni kuya Paolo, pino kung kumilos at mabait. Iba sa sinabi ni Olly noon. I hope na sana makasundo niya si Olly. She may be very outspoken about anything, but siya yung tipo ng tao na concern sa lahat ng kakilala niya.

Listening to their vows somewhat moved me to tears. I am imagining what were the wedding vows of my parents. Siguro, they were full of love at that time. Sinilip ko ng mabilisan si Zeke. He's wearing a tuxedo, very formal for his physique and it exudes power. Alam kong halos lahat ng mga babae na nandito ay gusto siya. Kanina ko pa kasi naririnig ang mga sinasabi nila sa magkakabarkada.

Kasama ko sa table si Olly at ang mga pinsan niya na halos kasing-edad lang namin. The ceremony went well, and everybody was looking forward for the couple's kiss. Their kiss was short but sweet, and seeing that was like magical for me. A few moments later, our dinner was served.

Isa-isang pinuntahan ng newly-weds ang mga table at nagpapicture. When it's our turn, bigla na lang akong kinausap ni ate Julia, ang asawa ni kuya Paolo.

"You're Andi, right?", she asked. I smiled and nod. "May gusto magpakilala sa iyo", turo niya sa isang table na medyo malayo sa amin.

Pagkatapos marinig ang sinabi ni ate Julia, isa sa mga pinsan ni Olly na si Grace ay hindi naitago ang kilig. Tumili ito ng malakas, kaya napansin kaagad kami.

"Oh-ehm-gee! Uy! Ang haba ng hair mo Andi!" Humahalakhak pa talaga siya ng malakas. Sinuway ko siya, hiyang-hiya ako kasi nakuha namin ang attention ng mga tao. Ang lakas din kasi mang-asar itong si Grace.

"Ipapakilala kita mamaya sa kanila, okay lang ba?", tanong ni ate Julia bago pa man sila lumipat sa kabilang table. Nagtinginan kami ni Olly, at alam kong ayaw niya sa ideyang iyon.

"Are you sure you're going to meet that guy?", tanong ni Olly ng palihim. "Zeke's here, at kanina ka pa niya tinitingnan." Olly signaled me to look where Zeke's table was, pero hindi ko ginawa.

"Tingnan mo Andi oh. Ang seryoso ng niya. Mukhang nagseselos", sabi niya sa tonong nang-aasar.

The wedding went well. Kahit na civil wedding ay napaka-grandioso ng event. Having 300 guests isn't as intimate as it was planned, and ate Julia seemed very tired. She's five months pregnant, pero hindi mo malalaman dahil na rin sa style ng wedding dress niya. It was almost 8 in the evening when the event ended. Andito ako sa may lounge ng hotel and was about to call our driver para sunduin na niya ako when Tita Ana invited me to another party at the hotel's rooftop area. I declined her invitation and told her that I have to ask permission first kay dad.

"Can you call your dad? Ipagpapaalam kita. Minsan lang itong event Andi. Olly would be very happy if sasama ka sa party sa taas", tita Ana insisted. "Don't worry, ihahatid ka namin mamaya."

A part of me wanted to join them, kaya lang kasi iniisip ko si dad. I dialed dad's number and gave it to tita Ana. Sandali lang sila nagka-usap at ibinalik agad niya ang phone ko.